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AHAs and Antioxidants: A Winning Combination

Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, include glycolic acid, the most common AHA, which is made from sugar cane; lactic acid, which comes from dairy products and is generally known to be milder and therefore less irritating than glycolic acid; malic acid, which comes from apples and pears; citric acid from citrus fruits; mandelic acid, which comes from bitter almond; and tartaric acid from grapes.

AHAs work by weakening the bonds between cells in the outer, dead layer of skin, therefore aiding in exfoliation and speeding up the normal skin-shedding process. By helping to remove this dull layer of dead skin cells and uncovering the new, healthy skin cells underneath, alpha hydroxy acids improve the texture of skin, unclog pores, can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and may aid in the building of collagen and elastin, both of which help to firm skin.

When you leave a sliced apple or a banana out, it turns brown. This phenomenon is called oxidation; a similar process happens to the skin cells in your body and could cause you to look older before your time. This damage to your skin is caused by free radicals, which are often caused by pollution, smoking or alcohol. Free radicals bond with healthy skin cells and immediately begin destroying them, setting off a chain reaction of cell destruction.

Antioxidants occur naturally in the body and bond with free radicals. This process can either prevent this chain reaction entirely, as in the case of antioxidant vitamin C, or stop it once it has started, like antioxidant vitamin E.

Many skin care companies, such as Glytone, have begun creating products that combine AHAs and antioxidants. These products use AHAs to help exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that already exist, while antioxidants protect against future free radical damage.

Here are a few examples of this type of product. Glytone Essentials Formula C Vitaceutical antioxidant cream contains both glycolic acid and vitamin C to penetrate the outer layers of skin and reduce the effects of environmental damage. Glytone Essentials Rejuvenate Daily Lotion SPF 15 combines glycolic acid and vitamin E with an SPF 15 to maximize skin protection. The patented microvesicle delivery system releases glycolic acid and moisturizing agents throughout the day, continuously improving skin’s appearance. For a non-daily sunscreen lotion with vitamin E, try Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 by Glytone. This lotion provides intense moisturizing while protecting against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

By combining the effects of alpha hydroxy acids and antioxidants, you can repair and protect the skin. By utilizing products that contain both of these ingredients, skin rejuvenation can be achieved in one simple step. By incorporating products such as these into your beauty regimen, research has shown that you will see a decrease in fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, rough texture and skin sagging, as well as an increase in youthful luminosity.

Article posted 1/29/2007.

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Glytone Essentials Rejuvenate Daily Lotion SPF 15 by Glytone $44.00